In your view, what makes the committee so important?
Ambrose Chan: It fills a critical gap as a dedicated platform for CPAs under 40, who make up more than 40 percent of the Institute membership, to voice their needs. By being a trusted communication channel between young CPAs and the Institute leadership, the YMC ensures that young professionals’ perspectives play a role in shaping Institute policies, continuing professional development (CPD) topics, and member services, while building a pipeline of future leaders.
Yan Yeung: When starting out, your world can feel quite small. The YMC gives young members a community beyond their own workplace to meet peers from other firms, commercial sectors and government. It creates a space where young CPAs can grow as whole people –building confidence, broadening perspectives, and discovering interests and strengths they might not have known they had. What excites me most is how the YMC serves as a launchpad for future leaders of the accounting profession. After my time as YMC Chairman in 2019-2020, I continued serving on other HKICPA committees, and I have been privileged to serve as an elected Council member since 2023. That journey started with the YMC.
Calvin Tse: The YMC plays a particularly important role in today’s evolving professional landscape. As the accounting profession continues to expand beyond traditional boundaries, young CPAs are presented with increasingly diverse career paths and challenges. In this context, the YMC not only facilitates their professional development, but also acts as a bridge between the Institute and the younger generation, ensuring their perspectives are reflected in the profession’s ongoing development. More importantly, it helps foster a sense of belonging and engagement among young CPAs, which is essential for sustaining the long-term growth and relevance of the profession.
Which of the committee’s past achievements, events or activities do you find most memorable, and why?
Ambrose Chan: The Mentorship Programme stands out as the most impactful initiative. Launched in 2015, it has paired nearly 2,000 mentor-mentee pairs, making it one of the YMC’s longest-running and most subscribed programmes. For young CPAs working in busy firms, access to senior mentors can be limited. The programme offers them a real opportunity for career and personal development, through sustained, personalized guidance on career progression, workplace communication, ethical decision-making, and work-life balance. Mentors, meanwhile, pass on legacy knowledge and build leadership skills. It has also led to community building. Annual gatherings and training workshops (for both mentors and mentees) have turned professional relationships into long-term bonds.
Yan Yeung: First, our Chinese Mainland exchange tours, which give young members genuine exposure to new business environments and opportunities, as well as industry leaders and government officials in the Chinese Mainland. For many young members, it was their first high-level interaction of that kind, and you could see it truly broadened their horizons. Some of the strongest bonds within our young members community were forged during these trips which continue to this day. Second, our cross-professional networking drinks. There is something really energizing about bringing young professionals from different professions together in a relaxed setting. Third is our lifestyle series events, which give members a chance to unwind with peers in a casual environment.
Calvin Tse: I find the mentorship and cross-sector networking programmes particularly memorable. These initiatives go beyond conventional professional activities by creating opportunities for young CPAs to engage with professionals from different industries and backgrounds. What makes these programmes especially meaningful is their long-term impact. They not only broaden members’ horizons, but also help them build valuable relationships and develop a more forward-looking mindset. It is encouraging to see how such initiatives inspire young members to explore new possibilities, whether within the profession or in broader business and entrepreneurial settings.
How has the YMC managed to successfully help members with both their career aspirations and personal development over the years?
Ambrose Chan: The YMC’s success stems from a dual-focus strategy that addresses both career and personal growth through targeted programmes and activities. Aside from the flagship Mentorship Programme, career development support involves the Career Insight Series, featuring industry leaders sharing real-world journeys to help members explore diverse career options; while CPD seminars, enterprise visits (e.g. Google and Huawei), and workshops on AI, ESG, and digital innovation, keep members competitive and future-ready. For personal development, we foster a support network where members share challenges, celebrate wins, and form lasting friendships. Young CPAs also have spaces (panel discussions and member forums) to express ideas, challenge norms, and build confidence.
Yan Yeung: The magic of the YMC is that it helps you grow in unexpected ways. Organizing exchange tours, lifestyle events, and the Young Members Conference taught me practical skills in event planning, project management, and communications. I got to practise being an MC, coordinate logistics as an event helper, and gradually build the confidence to speak in front of large groups. One of our core goals has always been to unite past and present YMC members alongside the broader young membership of the HKICPA into one connected, supportive network. Ultimately, the YMC brings together young CPAs from all corners of the profession – from Big Four firms, mid-tier practices, small firms, commercial organizations, academia, and government – and is built on the idea that we are stronger together.
Calvin Tse: Over the years, the YMC has been successful because it adopts a holistic and forward-looking approach to member development. On the professional front, it provides a wide range of learning and exposure opportunities, which help members stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment. Equally important is its emphasis on personal development. Through mentorship, networking and engagement activities, the YMC supports members in building confidence, resilience and a broader perspective beyond technical expertise. By combining professional knowledge with personal growth and cross-industry exposure, the YMC has effectively equipped young CPAs to navigate both traditional and emerging career paths.
